Less hazard damage per building is expected in Gladwin than in 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gladwin gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #55 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2020.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Gladwin faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Strong wind
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Gladwin’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Gladwin, and Gladwin’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 10%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
A #55 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Gladwin’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Michigan town has lower expected damage than 77% of U.S. towns; within the state, Gladwin has less expected damage per building than 92% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $854K a year in losses across Gladwin: $544K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Gladwin flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2020
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Gladwin, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Gladwin isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Gladwin County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Gladwin
Disasters that paid out in Gladwin itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Gladwin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Storms and Flooding270 households applied for aid$550K aid approved$320K to the City of Gladwin for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2017Severe Storms and Flooding15 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
Gladwin County has had 8 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Gladwin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gladwin archive →Gladwin and its neighbors
Gladwin has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gladwin | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Grout Township | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Sage Township | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Buckeye Township | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Gladwin Township | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | — |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Gladwin faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Gladwin
Is Gladwin at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gladwin has lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #55 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and tornadoes (12%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Gladwin flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Gladwin since 2020, $434K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Gladwin in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Gladwin County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Gladwin?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Gladwin’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Gladwin?
By FEMA money that reached Gladwin, Severe Storms and Flooding (2020): 270 households applied for aid, $550K approved, and $320K to the City of Gladwin for repairs.
Is Gladwin at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Gladwin’s rate for it is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gladwin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gladwin’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.